Juveniles & Seniors Impress in recent Outings

By Cecil Johnston

A number of our juvenile and senior athletes produced some impressive performances in a number of competitions in the past week.

In the Irish Schools Mountain Running Championships, held in the Dublin Mountains Aisling Johnston, representing local school Colaiste de h-Ide produced a fine performance to take the Silver medal in the Inter girls 3k event with Rebecca Game following her home in 9th and Stacey O’ Connor in 13th.

In the 4 mile road race, hosted by Metro St Brigids A.C. in the Phoenix Park on St Patricks Day, Niall Coppinger had good reason to celebrate after finishing 8th place overall, ahead of many younger accomplished athletes and in the process taking the winners prize in the O/40 category.

On Sunday in Tymon Park, Jade Johnston, Dylan Murphy, both U12 and Karl Arkins U14, representing Killinarden, qualified to represent Dublin in the National Community Games Cross Country finals to be held in Mosney in May, as did Roisin O’ Hanlon who won the U14 event for Belgard, with Zara Gaynor, representing Kilnamanagh also securing her place in the U14 event, and Robyn Reece, representing Crumlin qualifying at U13 level.

Elsewhere on Sunday afternoon, Laura Mc Donnell posted a fair time (18.23) when taking 2nd prize in the ladies section of the Parnell A.C. 5k road race in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, with Catherina Baldinger taking 3rd and Aileen Connolly 5th. In the men’s senior category, Davey Byrne took 3rd place and was followed home by Ronan Kearns in 7th and Billy Murphy who secured the 3rd prize in the O40 category.

Next weekend a number of our juveniles will be expected to show up well when they contest the first weekend of the National Juvenile Indoor Championships in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.